The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is exploring new opportunities to use science and technology to meet the world’s development challenges. As part of its science and technology strategy, USAID is developing mechanisms to leverage the investments that other U.S. government agencies make in scientific research and training. Following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between USAID and the National Science Foundation (NSF), the two agencies implemented a pilot program to assess the potential for USAID-funded collaborative research projects. Based on the program’s success, USAID and NSF are now pleased to announce the launching of a new and broader program called Partnerships for Enhanced Engagement in Research (PEER). This competitive grants program will allow scientists in developing countries to apply for funds to support research and capacity-building activities in partnership with their NSF-funded collaborators on topics of importance to USAID. Areas in which both NSF and USAID have strong mutual interests include, but are not limited to, the following:

Other development topics including disaster mitigation, biodiversity, water, and renewable energy

When writing their proposals, developing country applicants should consider how their research will contribute to USAID’s development objectives. Additionally, collaborative projects involving multiple developing countries to explore regional issues related to these development projects are encouraged. Pending the availability of funds and the receipt of meritorious proposals, the majority of the PEER funding will be awarded to projects related to the USAID development areas of interest specified above. In addition to projects in these global areas of interest, which may be based in any eligible country, the program encourages projects in the following three specific countries:

Indonesia: research projects in any technical area supported under PEER. Projects should be consistent with the objectives of USAID/Indonesia (http://indonesia.usaid.gov/en/home) and should also contribute to USAID/Indonesia’s higher education objectives by addressing one or more of the following:

Improving instructional delivery through better teaching methods and more relevant curricula in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) field;

Enhancing research skills and methods in a STEM field;

Building quality extension services that engage external stakeholders on topics related to STEM.

Lebanon: research projects in any technical area, particularly those that promote the participation of female scientists, involve large collaborations that include graduate students, and contribute to the strategic development objectives of Lebanon and the USAID mission (see http://www.usaid.gov/lb/).

Philippines: research projects that support biodiversity conservation and improved natural resource management while contributing to the development objectives of USAID/Philippines (see http://philippines.usaid.gov/).

PEER is designed to leverage NSF funds awarded to U.S. researchers with funds from USAID that can be distributed to developing country researchers so that both sides have the resources they need to work together productively. Therefore, research topics proposed under PEER must be collaborative in nature and must complement research goals specified in the NSF award, as well as the technical and developmental goals of USAID. Only proposals building upon active NSF-funded awards will be considered. PEER proposals should expand the scope of the NSF-funded research by including research and training activities to be carried out by developing country counterparts, the costs for which cannot be supported under NSF awards. Examples of the types of activities that may be funded under PEER include education and training; technology dissemination; application and adaptation of new technologies; support for students, postdoctoral associates, and researchers; international travel; communications; equipment, materials, and supplies for developing country institutions; research networks; and international workshops.